Our '02 Maxima has 7,300 miles on her (you can tell that we obviously don't driver her enough). In any event, we noticed just recently that on very hot days (85-93 degrees) and after some stop and go traffic there is a faint smell of coolant after we park in the garage. I have searched high and low (checked the hose fittings that I can see looking for a leak. No apparent coolant loss in the recovery bottle is fine--no coolant on the floor or in the plastic engine shields --). I have not checked the water pump (which I assume is in the front of the engine above the oil filter)...I'm just wondering if that is the culprit -- i.e. beginning to weep intermittently. With such low mileage I just can't believe there is a problem...but water pumps can fail.

Anyone else experiencing this? Yesterday, I took her out and drove her for a good 45 minutes in 78 degree weather and there was no coolant smell when I parked her in the garage.

 

heater core?

 

I'll check that too..., but I do know that I do not have any smell or leakage inside.